Handicappers Challenge returns for season two

Last year's Great Handicappers Challenge was a whole-hearted success ... for everyone but yours truly, that is.

But far be it for me to let a little embarrassment keep me from bringing it back for a second season.

As you may recall, last football season we put together a group of two handicappers, a rotation of sports book managers and myself in a handicapping challenge. Handicappers can pick any college or NFL game played between Thursday and the following Wednesday.

Going with the belief that if it ain't broke, don't fix it, we return the same group.

Our two handicappers, Lee Sterling of paramountsports.com and Leo Mendelsohn of thehooksfootballpicks.com, and our sports book managers went down to the wire last year, with Sterling winning with an astounding 14-7-1 record (.667). Mendelsohn was second at 13-8-1 (.614), and the sports book managers were third at 13-9 (.591). I was eliminated soon after the 49ers were and finished at 8-14 (.364).

So without further ado, Year II.

Paramountsports.com

Lee Sterling

Sterling believes that the early weeks of the season are prime for finding the gems in the obscure games, and for that reason he's going with Utah State, a 13-point dog at Wyoming on Saturday.

"I've always performed best early in the season when the extra research pays off," Sterling said. "I think Utah State is ascending in its second year under Brent Guy."

The Aggies, Sterling said, have shored up some weaknesses, especially a running game that averaged just 2.9 yards per carry.

"They might have hit a home run by landing junior college transfer running back Marcus Cross," he said. "They have a mobile QB in Leon Jackson III .., and two WRs in Kevin Robinson and Tony Pennyman who combined for 106 catches last season. They face a Wyoming defense that was horrible late last season, giving up an average of 34 points per game over their last six games."

Sterling also pointed out that Wyoming is switching from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, which could take some time getting used to, and that the Cowboys have two new cornerbacks. And on offense, Wyoming has a new QB and lost its top WR, Jovon Bouknight.

"By midseason, these two teams night be thought of equally, so I'll take the Aggies and won't be surprised if they ... win the game outright."

thehooksfootballpicks.com

Leo Mendelsohn

Mendelsohn sees a lot of points being scored when Nevada visits Fresno State on Friday night, so taking the over (56) is the play.

"The last two times Nevada has gone to Fresno, the total points have been right around 70," he said. "I expect the game to have plenty of big plays from both teams.

"Nevada is stacked on offense. There is no team in the (Western Athletic Conference) that will be able to stop this team from hanging at least 30 points every game. Yes, we know that Fresno will have a decent defense, but no one in the WAC can stop this offense."

Mendelsohn also believes the Bulldogs will be able to fill a few holes this season.

"Fresno starts a new QB -- Paul Pinegar had been there since 2002 -- and some have said the offense will slip," he said. "Well, they're wrong. Watch the Bulldogs' offensive line. They are without a doubt the best in the WAC. The Bulldogs will be able to run, and will put the pigskin in the end zone.

Mendelsohn also likes the idea of taking a chance with the Pack on the money line because Fresno State is breaking in a new QB in sophomore Tom Brandstater.

"Nevada is lucky because once the QB play comes around for Fresno, then they will be truly scary to play," he said.

Sports book managers

Terry Cox, Peppermill

Cox sees Stanford playing Oregon down to the wire on Saturday in Eugene.

"That's a game I really like a lot," Cox said. "That's too many points. Stanford has a real good offensive line coming back, and Trent Edwards is going to be a terrific quarterback. I think he's the best quarterback in the Pac-10.

"I think they can win the game, and they're getting points."

And Cox didn't stop there.

"There's a number of things I like about Stanford," he said. "Now, the coach (Walt Harris) is in his second year. You're never quite sure about the first year, but when he comes back, the program is more theirs, the personnel is more theirs."

Cox pointed out that Oregon has been very good at protecting its home turf.

Mid-American Conference teams have been known to step up in non-conference games and be pests to teams from the Big 10 and other strong Midwestern conferences.

And that's exactly what Toledo wants to do on Saturday. The Rockets are a 71/2-point dog against Iowa State at Ames, Iowa.

Alas, it won't happen. The Rockets have too much talent to replace, especially at the skill positions, and the Cyclones return a strong nucleus from a team that went 7-5 last year and went to its fifth bowl game in six seasons under Dan McCarney.

This appears to be a typical step-up kind of game, where the team from the smaller conference has more to play for and either pulls off the upset or makes it close. But Iowa State is well aware of Toledo and won't be caught off guard.

The Rockets have played big-conference opponents four times in the last three years and have been beaten soundly by Minnesota, Kansas and Syracuse. Only against Pitt in a down year, 2003, did they win.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most Popular

Most Commented

More Headlines

Most Viewed

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Handicappers Challenge returns for season two

Last year's Great Handicappers Challenge was a whole-hearted success ... for everyone but yours truly, that is.But far be it for me to let a little embarrassment keep me from bringing it back for a

A link to this page will be included in your message.

Real Deals

Flip, shop and save on specials from your favorite retailers in Reno, NV